Rwanda international Ernest Sugira is close to agreeing a move to Congolese side AS V. Club, according to the club’s Sports Secretary, Raphael Esabe. AS V. Club head coach Frolent Ibenge, who is also the head coach of DR Congo, praised Sugira’s skills during the 4th African Nations Championships finals tournament held in Rwanda early this year, indicating he would love to see him at his club. “Negotiations are well advanced; we have sent an official letter (to AS Kigali) expressing our interest to sign Sugira, we have specified that we wish to sign him before the end of May so that we register him for the Champions League group stages,” Esabe told Linafoot. Esabe revealed that AS Vita Club had two options, Sugira and Martinique Kevin Parsemain of DC Motema Pembe. However the Congolese’s side is pushing for the signature of the 25-year old Amavubi forward over Parsemain, who is ineligible to play for them in the Champions League, having already featured for his current club. According to a source familiar with the negotiations, Sugira has demanded US$100,000 as signing on fee, but AS Vita Club are offering only half of that. When contacted on Thursday, Sugira confirmed to Times Sport that indeed discussions are still going on between the two clubs, reiterating his desire for a new challenge. The former AS Muhanga and APR striker scored 3 goals in 4 games in 2016 CHAN and was Amavubi’s main man in attack, steering the national team to their first ever CHAN quarter-final. He has three months left on his contract with AS Kigali. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
